RULES AND GUIDELINES

2012 RULES AND GUIDELINES

We have added another county to the Winter Classic Show Circuit. Oktibbeha County will be the 6th county in the Winter Classic Show Circuit. This decision was made by the Five County Committee after receiving multiple requests from Oktibbeha County. The Five County Committee felt that their willingness to participate, as well as their loyal support since the inception of the Winter Classic 4H Horse Show Series, warranted their inclusion. We are proud to accept Oktibbeha County as the sixth county in the Winter Classic Series.

Adding another county presents unique challenges, which is why it took so long to add a sixth county. The committee has worked hard to address these challenges. The following are changes in the current way of operations to accommodate the sixth county:

An even number of shows can create a number of ties in points. Therefore we decided to put all the counties in a hat, except for counties hosting the first and last show, and draw one out. This show will be the tie breaker show. The tie breaker show will be applied on a class only basis unless an All Around tie is presented. In the case of an All Around tie all points will be applied.

There was also the issue of enough days to go around and still stay out of the regular show season. We, in the past, had reserved a Snow Out Day to make up shows if the weather got bad enough to prevent showing due to hazardous travel conditions. However, we had to use this date to accommodate another show. It was the decision of the committee to replace the snow out day by making the following show a double point show. This show would offer double points and entry fees would be doubled. The counties would split the entries and gate fees 50/50. Work duties should also be split 50/50. Concessions should be worked out between participating counties on their own.

Contestants will use the same number at all the shows. Please laminate your number or do what you can to protect it so that it lasts for all six shows. If you have to make yourself a new number please remember to make it the number you had. This will eliminate duplicate numbers. Numbers will no longer correspond to the county you are in. We can better utilize the numbers we have remaining if we do not make them county or age specific.

When announcing classes, show management will announce the number, contestants name, and horses name when announcing the placings in a class. Please write neatly when signing up so the announcer has no trouble reading the name.

The Winter Classic Series intent is to help the 4Hers in our district become better showmen as well as better people. Respect is important inside and outside the show pen. Exhibitors will respect each others space in rail classes. (Gaited and Western) Exhibitors should keep at least a horse length away from other horses at all times. It is okay to pass a horse in a rail class however an exhibitor should be respectful when passing. Do not get closer than a horse length from the side of the horse and allow a horse length before moving back in front of the horse you were passing. All rail classes that have over 10 entries will split. This will help ensure adequate spacing and exhibitor respect on the rail. The Winter Classic will abide by the rule in the 4H State Rule Book (page 10 Rule 15) that states the judge has the authority to rule out or dismiss any horse that he/she considers improperly trained to be safely controlled by the exhibitor.

An Exhibitor may only show one horse per class. For example, an exhibitor may only run one time in a barrel racing class.

To be considered big enough to split, a class must have ten+ exhibitors for three shows during one Winter Classic Series. Then the Six County Committee will vote on whether or not to split the class into Jr/Sr Divisions.

Pre-registration is available on the website. Simply fill out the pre-registration form online. We hope this will solve the crowding problem at the sign up table. However, the traditional sign-up will still be available on show day. Point sign up sheets will also be available to fill out online. We must have a point sign up sheet to keep a record of your points for Series Awards.

Walk/Jog Classes are intended for beginners not yet ready to lope. Exhibitors participating in these classes may only exhibit in Halter and Showmanship.

The 2011 Winter Classic shows will follow the 2010 4-H Horse Show Rule Book. All standard patterns will be taken from the 2010 4-H Horse Show Rule Book. Showmanship, Horsemanship and Trail patterns will be provided by the judge. Please follow all tack and dress code restrictions listed in the Rule Book.

Judges are encouraged to interact with the exhibitors, by giving constructive criticism as well as praise for a job well done. Our goal is that of 4-H --- to make the best better.

No dogs will be allowed in the buildings where Winter Classic Shows are held. Please refer to Page 11 Rule 33 in the 2010 4H State Horse Show Rule Book.

Negative coggins test is required.

The judges decision is final.

Our goal with the Winter Classic Shows is not only to teach the kids in our district about horses and showing, but to also instill in them, through this program, essential life lessons. Lessons about sportsmanship; how to act when you try your very best but it’s just not good enough. Lessons about how to treat other people with respect so they will return that respect. Our kids learn first and foremost by watching adults. The Six County Committee is made up of 4-H Volunteers and 4-H Agents, and as such our first thought in anything that we do must be, “act as I would want my 4-Her to act.” We accept the responsibility that lies in teaching our 4Hers how to behave like responsible showmen and citizens. We are asking that all adults that attend the 4H Winter Classic Shows do the same. We ask that you always display sportsmanlike conduct , whether it is congratulating the class winner or filing a protest. Always show others proper respect and give folks the benefit of the doubt. Any adult or exhibitor that behaves with poor sportsmanship and is disrespectful to his/her family, show help or other exhibitors may be asked to leave the show grounds, as stated on page 10 Rule 15 of the 2010 4H State Rule Book.

Six Committee Members will be present at each show. The Winter Classic will follow the 4H State Rule Book for handling protests, which is stated as follows on page 10 Rule 23:

Protests must be submitted to the announcer or manager of the show. Protests must be made on an official protest form properly filled out, signed, and accompanied by a $50 cash deposit. This protest must designate the exhibitor or animal involved and the reason for the protest being filed. Protest must be made before official placing of the class involved is announced. No protest will be accepted on a class after the official results have been announced. Protests are made with the understanding that the protester’s name will be made public and that if the protest is not upheld by the Six County Committee, the $50 cash deposit will be the property of the 4H Winter Classic. If the protest is upheld, the $50 cash deposit will be returned to the person filing the protest. Protest forms will be available at the sign up table and announcers stand. All decisions by the Committee are final.

Awards will be presented at the Awards Banquet April 1, 2011 at the Magnolia Center in Verona. Dinner will be served and a dance will follow.

POINTS

You must be a member of 4-H in order for your points to count toward awards.

Non-members may compete but no points will be given. Forms for enrollment in 4-H will be readily available at each show, so that any non-member wanting to join may do so. The forms will be mailed to the 4-H agent of the county that the exhibitor has indicated on his/her form. An exhibitor that joins 4-H the day of the show must do so before competing in the show in order for his/her points to be recorded and count toward high point awards.

Points will be kept on the child only. Not the child/horse combination. Except in the case of the High Point Horse Award.

Exhibitors will receive a participation point for participating in a class.

The exhibitor must show in at least four of the six scheduled shows to be eligible for high point awards.

Ponies will be measured. All ponies will be measured at the first show. Their name and height will be recorded on the child’s point record. All ponies must be measured before they show. If the child misses the first show, someone will be available to measure ponies at the beginning of every show.

The Point Book will be at the sign up table at each of the shows, so exhibitors may check their point standing in each class at every show. Points will also be posted online at www.4hwinterclassic.com.

Points work as follows according to the number of contestants in the class:

6 or more in a class-

1st place = 6 points

2nd place = 5 points

3rd place = 4 points

4th place = 3 points

5th place = 2 points

All other contestants = 1 participation point

5 or less in a class-

1st place = 5 points

2nd place = 4 points

3rd place = 3 points

4th place = 2 points

5th place = 1 points

SPEED EVENTS

Either of the two Stake Race patterns are acceptable at the 2011 Winter Classic. Speed classes will close at the start of the barrel classes. Show management will do a draw for the running order in all speed events.

Drags will be determined based on arena conditions. Decisions about the ground conditions and frequency of drags will be determined by the Six County Committee and show management.

In the speed events, every attempt will be made by the show management at each show to set up the arena in compliance to the rules set forth in the state 4-H Rule Book. In the event that the arena cannot be set up according to the rulebook (with an alley and a gate at the end of the alley and a gate at the edge of the arena) all contestants will run to a closed gate at the arena. If the arena is set up for speed events with an alley, the contestant will be responsible for letting the gate man know if they want the gate at the arena edge closed. No parent will be allowed to tell the gate man for the contestant. If a contestant wants the arena gate closed he/she must communicate this to the gate man before entering the alley to run.

All riders must have a properly fitted helmet fastened to participate in any speed event. Helmets that do not fit properly do not work effectively in an accident. Helmets must stay on and fastened until the contestant leaves the building after their run. Unfastening the straps or removing helmet inside the building after the contestant runs will result in a disqualification and contestant will receive a “NO Time”.

In the event of a double point show, Double point speed classes would run as follows: If a contestant has a clean run they will receive double points on that time. If a contestant hits a barrel or pole they will receive a time on that run and be given another run. If a contestant breaks pattern they will receive a no time on that run and be given another run.

TRAIL

The Jr & Sr Trail classes will run at the same time. All Contestants will run in order of sign up. Contestants should be warmed up and ready to work their pattern at the start of the class. Trail class will begin at 8:30. Contestants will be lined up Seniors first then Juniors. The gate person will notify the judge at the end of the senior contestants so Jr’s and Sr’s can be placed separately.

If you are not in line to enter the arena at your specified time your name and number will be called and you will have one minute to enter the arena. Failure to enter the arena at your appointed time will result in forfeiture of your entry fee. (Please see page 10 rule 16 of the State Rule Book)

Trail score cards will be used to score trail and the cards will be made available to the exhibitor after the class.

LEADLINE

We are making a few more changes to Leadline:

All Leadline contestants must be led by a Senior 4-Her or a Parent – the committee feels that it will be safer if Senior 4-Hers or a Parent lead the Cloverbud 4-Her in the class.

Leadline will not be a Point Class – no points will be rewarded to the Cloverbud or the Senior 4-Her for this class. Seniors should lead the Cloverbud with a spirit of mentoring and guiding the Cloverbud to success as a upcoming Junior 4-Her. No Cloverbud Buckle will be awarded for Leadline.

Leadline will not begin before 9:30.

The Leadline class, like all other classes, must maintain an average of 5 contestants per show to remain on the show bill.